Selective Anticancer Properties, Proapoptotic and Antibacterial Potential of Three Asplenium Species

Abstract

The ferns Asplenium ceterach L., Asplenium scolopendrium L. and Asplenium trichomanes L. have wide application in traditional medicine worldwide. However, the scientific research on their anticancer and antibacterial properties is insufficient. The present article aims to provide more information on this topic. Extracts derived from the aerial parts of A. ceterach, A. scolopendrium and A. trichomanes were examined using a panel of in vitro assays with different bacterial and mammalian cells. The cytotoxicity and anticancer activity of the samples were analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Trypan blue assays with three human (A549, FL, HeLa) and three murine (3T3, TIB-71, LS48) cell lines. Inhibitory effects on the growth of Gram-positive (Bacillus cereus) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria were determined by the agar diffusion assay. Apoptosis-inducing properties of the extracts were analyzed by flow cytometry. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in extract-treated cells was investigated by ELISA. The obtained results demonstrate selective anticancer activity of all three Asplenium species. The extract from A. ceterach displayed the strongest inhibitory properties against human cervical cancer cells and bacterial cells. It induced a lower level of cytotoxicity against mouse cell lines, indicating a species-specific effect. The extract from A. trichomanes demonstrated better anticancer and antibacterial properties than the sample from A. scolopendrium. Further experiments linked the mechanism of action of A. ceterach extract with oxidative stress-inducing potential and strong proapoptotic potential against the cervical cancer cell line HeLa. A. trichomanes and A. scolopendrium extracts appeared to be potent inducers of necrotic cell death.

Chemical Composition and Cytoprotective Activities of Methanolic Extract of Asplenium adiantum-nigrum L. (Aspleniaceae)

“…Other three ferns from the Aspleniaceae family (Asplenium ceterach L., Asplenium scolopendrium L., and Asplenium trichomanes L.) also did not show any cytotoxicity on the lung cancer cell line A549, as described by Petkov, et al (2021) [55]. However, in the same study, these ferns show a selective cytotoxicity for HeLa cells in contrast to our results.…”

“…One explanation can be derived from the different phytochemical profile described for these three ferns because they contain flavonols like the AAM extract, but also fatty acids. Petkov, et al (2021) [55] suggest that their fatty acids composition may contribute to the selective antiproliferative effects on HeLa cells.…”

Exploring wild Aspleniaceae ferns as safety sources of polyphenols: The case of Asplenium trichomanes L. and Ceterach officinarum Willd.

“…For this reason, the absence of interference has been verified by the MTT assay for the in vitro concentrations of the extracts tested. Petkov et al 2021 ( 58 ) analyzed the cytotoxicity of methanolic fronds extracts of three Aspleniaceae ferns by MTT, of which two were A. trichomanes and C. officinarum . The comparison of our cytotoxicity results with the results of Petkov et al 2021 ( 58 ) is relevant due to the same methodology for obtaining the frond extract (frond methanolic extract) and for determination of cell viability (MTT assay) for A. trichomanes and C. officinarum .…”

“…Petkov et al 2021 ( 58 ) analyzed the cytotoxicity of methanolic fronds extracts of three Aspleniaceae ferns by MTT, of which two were A. trichomanes and C. officinarum . The comparison of our cytotoxicity results with the results of Petkov et al 2021 ( 58 ) is relevant due to the same methodology for obtaining the frond extract (frond methanolic extract) and for determination of cell viability (MTT assay) for A. trichomanes and C. officinarum . In the initial toxicity studies of the pharmaceutical industry, assays with a high sensitivity against cytotoxicity with reasonable cost are used, in which various hepatic cell lines are generally used, such as HepG2 ( 59 ).…”